2011
In 1604 London, playwright Ben Jonson is interrogated about the plays of the Earl of Oxford, leading to a flashback nine years earlier. Edward de Vere, the Earl of Oxford, a brilliant but disgraced nobleman, secretly writes plays and uses the illiterate actor William Shakespeare as a front for his work, much to the resentment of other playwrights like Christopher Marlowe and Jonson. Oxford's plays, particularly *Hamlet*, subtly criticize the powerful William Cecil and his son Robert, revealing Oxford's past affair with Queen Elizabeth I and their illegitimate son, Henry Wriothesley, the Earl of Southampton. As political tensions rise over Queen Elizabeth's succession, Robert Cecil manipulates the ambitious Earl of Essex and Southampton into a rebellion, which is fueled by a performance of Oxford's *Richard III* that incites a riot.
Save the Cat beat sheet
The film follows Ben Jonson’s dangerous entanglement in the secret authorship of Shakespeare’s works and the political intrigues surrounding Edward de Vere, the Earl of Oxford.
Open full beat sheetBen Jonson is listed as Playwright. A struggling playwright who becomes the public face for Oxford's works. In the parsed data, Ben Jonson is connected to 54 scenes, 35 dialogue lines, 36 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
54 scenes / 35 dialogue linesEdward de Vere, Earl of Oxford is listed as Nobleman and secret playwright. An intensely handsome, brilliant nobleman who writes plays under a pseudonym. In the parsed data, Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford is connected to 51 scenes, 26 dialogue lines, 27 text mentions, first appearing around scene 17.
51 scenes / 26 dialogue linesRobert Cecil is listed as Politician. William Cecil's hunchbacked son, a cunning and ruthless political operator. In the parsed data, Robert Cecil is connected to 26 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 14 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
26 scenes / 12 dialogue linesWilliam Shakespeare is listed as Actor and public face of the plays. A charismatic, illiterate actor who takes credit for Oxford's plays. In the parsed data, William Shakespeare is connected to 23 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 13 text mentions, first appearing around scene 52.
23 scenes / 11 dialogue linesQueen Elizabeth I is listed as Queen of England. The aging, complex Queen of England. In the parsed data, Queen Elizabeth I is connected to 22 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 15.
22 scenes / 11 dialogue linesWilliam Cecil is listed as Politician. A Puritan, powerful advisor to the Queen. In the parsed data, William Cecil is connected to 21 scenes, 22 dialogue lines, 23 text mentions, first appearing around scene 22.
21 scenes / 22 dialogue linesHenry Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton is listed as Nobleman. A young, enthusiastic nobleman and patron of the arts. In the parsed data, Henry Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton is connected to 20 scenes, first appearing around scene 10.
20 scenes / 0 dialogue linesRobert, Earl of Essex is listed as Nobleman and soldier. Ambitious, handsome, and red-headed nobleman. In the parsed data, Robert, Earl of Essex is connected to 13 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 12.
13 scenes / 2 dialogue linesSir Richard Pole is listed as Captain of the Guard. A loyal servant to the Cecils. In the parsed data, Sir Richard Pole is connected to 11 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 76.
11 scenes / 1 dialogue linesChristopher Marlowe is listed as Playwright. A brilliant, foppish playwright. In the parsed data, Christopher Marlowe is connected to 10 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 52.
10 scenes / 4 dialogue lineschar_11 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_11 is connected to 5 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 78.
5 scenes / 1 dialogue lineschar_12 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_12 is connected to 2 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 52.
2 scenes / 2 dialogue linesA man in a grey suit rushes to a theater where a play titled 'Anonymous' is showing.
The man in the grey suit moves through the backstage area.
A stage manager prepares for the show, and the curtains open.
The Prologue delivers a monologue questioning the authorship of Shakespeare's works.
Ben Jonson runs to the Rose Theater carrying a manuscript.
Ben JonsonSir Richard Pole and guards arrive to capture Jonson.
Sir Richard PoleJonson hides under the stage while guards search for him.
Ben Jonson, Sir Richard PoleJonson is captured as the theater burns.
Ben Jonson, Sir Richard PoleJonson is interrogated about the plays of the Earl of Oxford.
Ben Jonson, Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, Robert CecilFlashback to nine years earlier, Oxford and Southampton attend a play.
Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, William Shakespeare, Henry Wriothesley, Earl of SouthamptonJonson is imprisoned.
Ben Jonson, Robert, Earl of EssexEssex and Southampton play tennis while Oxford watches.
Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, Henry Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton, Robert, Earl of EssexEssex and Southampton discuss political succession.
Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, Henry Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton, Robert, Earl of EssexThe Queen arrives at Cecil House, and a play is presented as a gift.
Queen Elizabeth I, Robert Cecil, William Cecil, Henry Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton, Robert, Earl of EssexElizabeth and her court watch a performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Queen Elizabeth I, Robert, Earl of Essex, Henry Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton, Robert Cecil, William ShakespeareA flashback to 38 years earlier where a young Elizabeth watches a children's production of the same play.
Queen Elizabeth I, Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, William CecilYoung Elizabeth meets the young Oxford after the play.
Queen Elizabeth I, Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, William CecilBen Jonson is released from prison.
Ben Jonson, Sir Richard PoleJonson is transported to Oxford's estate.
Ben JonsonOxford meets Jonson and reveals his plan to use Jonson as a front for his plays.
Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, Ben JonsonOxford gives Jonson a manuscript to stage.
Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, Ben JonsonWilliam Cecil returns and confronts Robert about Essex and the play.
William Cecil, Robert CecilWilliam Cecil realizes the play was written by Edward de Vere.
William Cecil, Robert CecilFlashback to 30 years earlier when young Oxford first arrived at Cecil House.
William Cecil, Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, Robert CecilYoung Oxford fences with a tutor while Robert watches.
Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, Robert CecilOxford discovers a servant stealing his poems.
Edward de Vere, Earl of OxfordShakespeare and Jonson discuss the manuscript.
William Shakespeare, Ben JonsonJonson and Shakespeare walk through London.
Ben Jonson, William ShakespeareShakespeare reads the manuscript.
William Shakespeare, Ben JonsonWilliam Cecil advises Elizabeth to send Essex to Ireland.
Queen Elizabeth I, William Cecil, Robert CecilWilliam Cecil advises the Queen to send Essex to Ireland and replace him with Robert Cecil on the Privy Council. The Queen agrees but also reflects on past memories and asks about Edward.
Queen Elizabeth I, Robert Cecil, William CecilFlashback to thirty years earlier where William Cecil confronts Young Oxford about his poems and forces him into marriage with his daughter.
Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, William CecilYoung Oxford and Anne are married by a bishop while the Queen presides.
Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, Queen Elizabeth I, William CecilThe performance of Henry V begins, impressing the audience and the wits.
Ben Jonson, William Shakespeare, Christopher MarloweSouthampton rides through the countryside.
Henry Wriothesley, Earl of SouthamptonThe battle scene of Henry V is performed, captivating the audience.
Ben Jonson, William Shakespeare, Henry Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton, Christopher MarloweSouthampton arrives at the city gates.
Henry Wriothesley, Earl of SouthamptonThe battle continues on stage.
Southampton crosses London Bridge.
Henry Wriothesley, Earl of SouthamptonThe play descends into a brawl between actors and audience.
Southampton arrives at the theater and confronts Oxford about leaving for Ireland.
Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, William Shakespeare, Henry Wriothesley, Earl of SouthamptonOxford confronts Jonson about Shakespeare taking credit for his work.
Ben Jonson, Edward de Vere, Earl of OxfordJonson leaves the study and is spotted by Anne.
Ben JonsonAnne confronts Oxford about their finances and his writing.
Edward de Vere, Earl of OxfordJonson, Marlowe, Dekker, and Nashe discuss the success of Romeo and Juliet; Shakespeare arrives to celebrate.
Ben Jonson, William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, char_11, char_12A montage of Shakespeare's plays showing his rising fame and the Wits' growing resentment.
Ben Jonson, William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, char_11, char_12Shakespeare and Jonson discuss Romeo and Juliet.
Ben Jonson, William ShakespeareA performance of Romeo and Juliet.
Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, William ShakespeareA performance of Hamlet features a caricature of William Cecil.
William CecilFlashback to a dance where Young Oxford and Young Elizabeth share a moment.
Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, Queen Elizabeth I, William CecilElizabeth watches the play and is amused by the Polonius character.
Queen Elizabeth IHamlet kills Polonius on stage, drawing a reaction from the audience.
Ben JonsonYoung Elizabeth and Young Oxford ride horses.
Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, Queen Elizabeth IWilliam Cecil asks about the Queen's whereabouts.
William CecilElizabeth reacts to the death of Polonius while her own physical discomfort worsens.
Queen Elizabeth IOxford watches Hamlet from his box; the audience remains despite the rain.
Ben Jonson, Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, William ShakespeareYoung Elizabeth and Young Oxford dine together.
Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, Queen Elizabeth IMarlowe walks toward the Tower.
Christopher MarloweYoung Elizabeth and Young Oxford make love.
Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, Queen Elizabeth IMarlowe reports to Pole about the play's impact.
Sir Richard Pole, Christopher MarloweRobert and William Cecil discuss how to handle Shakespeare and Oxford.
Robert Cecil, William CecilRobert wheels William Cecil.
Robert Cecil, William CecilWilliam Cecil instructs Robert on securing the next king.
Robert Cecil, William CecilFlashback to Elizabeth and William Cecil discussing her pregnancy.
Queen Elizabeth I, William CecilOxford confronts William Cecil about Elizabeth.
Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, William CecilWilliam Cecil dismisses Oxford's concerns.
Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, William CecilMarlowe confronts Jonson about the authorship of the plays.
Ben Jonson, Christopher MarloweMarlowe chases Jonson.
Ben Jonson, Christopher MarloweEssex and Southampton survive an assassination attempt.
Henry Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton, Robert, Earl of EssexOxford survives an assassination attempt during fencing.
Edward de Vere, Earl of OxfordJonson discovers Marlowe's body.
Ben JonsonShakespeare threatens Jonson for money.
Ben Jonson, William ShakespeareJonson receives a manuscript from Francesco; Shakespeare follows.
Ben Jonson, William ShakespeareShakespeare follows Francesco to Oxford Stone.
William ShakespeareShakespeare confronts Oxford for more money.
Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, William ShakespeareOxford watches Shakespeare leave with the money and discusses the wisdom of his actions with Francesco.
Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, William Shakespeare, Sir Richard PoleFlashback to 25 years earlier where Young Oxford is with Bessie.
Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, char_11Bessie reveals to Young Oxford that the Queen had his child.
Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, char_11Bessie is caught leaving the bedroom by Young Oxford's wife.
char_11William Cecil informs Young Elizabeth about the affair and the pregnancy.
Queen Elizabeth I, William CecilNever a voice in government. Never a sword raised in glorious battle. No immortal deeds for my heirs to know me by. Words, merely words, are to be my legacy... You alone watch my plays and know them as mine. When I hear the applause, the cheering, of the audience, all those hands clapping, they are celebrating... another man. But in that cacophony of sounds, I strained to hear the sound of two hands only. Yours. But heard them, I never did.
Ben Jonson succeeded in his desire to be the most celebrated playwright of his time, becoming England's first Poet Laureate. And in 1623, he wrote the dedication to the collected works of the man we call William Shakespeare. And so... though our story is finished, our poet's is not. For his monument is ever-living, made not of stone but of verse, and it shall be remembered... as long as words are made of breath and breath of life.
Why do you think Will hasn't been arrested? You or I make the slightest joke about a nobleman of no consequence, and we find ourselves in a cell quicker than a fart spreads in the trade winds. Will-- he murders a caricature of old William Cecil himself, and still whores all the way to Westminster and back.
You will write to James that I am gravely ill, but that all is in hand. Much of the Privy Council has already secretly agreed to his ascension to the English throne due to your tireless, but secret, entreaties on his behalf. And then tell him Essex will not return from Ireland alive.
We had seen some of this Shakespeare's plays in Edinburgh, Sir Robert. I must tell you, we enjoyed them immensely, and look forward to seeing many more, now that we are in London... I presume you are as avid a theater man as myself?
I can't very well use my name, can I? I'm the seventeenth Earl of Oxford. The Lord Great Chamberlain of England... No. I have a... reputation to protect. In my world, one does not write plays, Jonson. People like you do.
I can make all this go away, Jonson... To be but a dream. Like one of your plays... Or, I can bring you so much pain-- pain that were you given a thousand years, and a thousand quills, you could never justly describe...
I saw a play this last weekend, William. It made me think of... days long past. Of memories... long past. Long past. I should like to see more of them... Has Edward been happy, William? With your daughter?
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